Article Holding Device

ABSTRACT

An article holding device for self-defense weapons and personal items includes a strap, which defines a loop. A head and a first shoulder of a user are insertably into the loop so that the strap rests on a second shoulder of the user, with the strap extending transversely from the second shoulder to proximate to an opposed hip of the user. A plurality of pouches is engaged to the strap. A respective item, such as a phone, keys, or an aerosol self-defense spray cannister, is insertable into each pouch so that the item is removably engaged to the strap. A sheath is engaged to the strap. An elongated self-defense weapon, such as a baton, is insertable into an open end of the sheath so that the elongated self-defense weapon is removably engaged to the strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to holding devices and more particularly pertains to a new holding device for self-defense weapons and personal items. The present invention discloses a holding device comprising a strap to which is engaged a plurality of pouches and a sheath, wherein the strap is positionable over a shoulder and across a chest and back of a user. Self-defense weapons and personal items are stowable in the pouches and an elongated self-defense weapon is stowable in the sheath.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to holding devices. Prior art holding devices may comprise straps with pockets positioned on their inner faces, interconnectable pockets forming a loop, vests with pockets, and scabbards securable to a user by straps. What is lacking in the prior art is a holding device for self-defense weapons and personal items comprising a strap to which is engaged a plurality of pouches and a sheath, wherein the strap is positionable over a shoulder and across a chest and back of a user. Self-defense weapons and personal items are stowable in the pouches and an elongated self-defense weapon is stowable in the sheath.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a strap, which defines a loop. The loop is configured for insertion of a head and a first shoulder of a user so that the strap rests on a second shoulder of the user, with the strap extending transversely from the second shoulder to proximate to an opposed hip of the user. A plurality of pouches is engaged to the strap. Each pouch is configured for insertion of a respective item, such as a phone, keys, or an aerosol self-defense spray cannister, so that the item is removably engaged to the strap. A sheath is engaged to the strap. An open end of the sheath is configured for insertion of an elongated self-defense weapon so that the elongated self-defense weapon is removably engaged to the strap.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of an article holding device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new holding device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 , the article holding device 10 generally comprises a strap 12, which defines a loop 14. The loop 14 is configured for insertion of a head and a first shoulder of a user so that the strap 12 rests on a second shoulder of the user, with the strap 12 extending transversely from the second shoulder to proximate to an opposed hip of the user. The strap 12 comprises a shoulder section 16, a chest section 18, a back section 20, and a hip section 22. The chest section 18 extends from the shoulder section 16 across a chest of the user. The back section 20 extends from the shoulder section 16 across a back of the user. The hip section 22 is engaged to and extends between the chest section 18 and the back section 20 distal from the shoulder section 16. The hip section 22 is dimensionally wider than the chest section 18, the back section 20, and the shoulder section 16 and thus promotes retention of the strap is a position on the user wherein the hip section 22 is disposed across the opposed hip of the user, as shown in FIG. 5 .

A slit 24 is positioned in the strap 12 and defines a first end 26 and a second end 28 of the strap 12. The slit 24 may be positioned in the shoulder section 16, as shown in FIG. 1 , although the present invention also anticipates the slit 24 being positioned in the chest section 18 or the hip section 22 of the strap 12. A first fastener 30 and a second fastener 32 are engaged to the strap 12 proximate to the first end 26 and the second end 28, respectively. The second fastener 32 is complementary to the first fastener 30 so that the second fastener 32 is positioned to selectively engage the first fastener 30 to fix the strap 12 in a looped configuration, as shown in FIG. 4 . The second fastener 32 and the first fastener 30 may comprise a hook and loop fastener 34, as shown in FIG. 1 , or other fastening means, such as, but not limited, buttons, snaps, and the like.

A plurality of pouches 36 is engaged to the strap 12. Each pouch 36 is configured for insertion of a respective item, such as a phone 38, keys, or an aerosol self-defense spray cannister 40, so that the item is removably engaged to the strap 12. The plurality of pouches 36 may comprise a first pocket 42, a second pocket 44, and a third pocket 46. The first pocket 42 is engaged to the chest section 18 proximate to the shoulder section 16. The first pocket 42 is sized complementarily to an aerosol self-defense spray cannister 40 and thus is configured for insertion of the aerosol self-defense spray cannister 40 so that the aerosol self-defense spray cannister 40 is removably engaged to the strap 12.

The second pocket 44 is engaged to the chest section 18 distal from the shoulder section 16 so that the second pocket 44 is positioned over a front of the opposed hip of the user. The second pocket 44 is sized complementarily to a phone 38 and thus is configured for insertion of the phone 38 so that the phone 38 is removably engaged to the strap 12. The third pocket 46 engaged to the back section 20 distal from the shoulder section 16 so that the third pocket 46 is positioned over a rear of the opposed hip of the user. The third pocket 46 is sized complementarily to a personal article, such as a set of keys, and thus is configured for insertion of the personal article so that the personal article is removably engaged to the strap 12. The present invention also anticipates the plurality of pouches 36 comprising two pouches 36 or more than three pouches 36.

Each of a plurality of flaps 48 is engaged to and extends from the strap 12 proximate to an opening 50 of a respective pouch 36. The flap 48 is configured to selectively engage the respective pouch 36 to close the opening 50. Each of plurality of first connectors 52 is engaged a respective pouch 36. Each of a plurality of second connectors 54 is engaged to a respective flap 48. The second connectors 54 are complementary to the first connectors 52 so that a respective second connector 54 is positioned to selectively engage an associated first connector 52 to close an associated opening 50. The respective second connector 54 and the associated first connector 52 may comprise a hook and loop coupler 56, or other coupling means, such as, but not limited to, buttons, snaps, and the like.

A sheath 58 is engaged to the strap 12. An open end 60 of the sheath 58 is configured for insertion of an elongated self-defense weapon 62, such as a baton or a nunchaku, so that the elongated self-defense weapon 62 is removably engaged to the strap 12.

The article holding device 10 also may comprise a sleeve 64, which is engaged to the chest section 18 of the strap 12. The sleeve 64 comprises elastomer and thus is resiliently stretchable so that a bottle 66 is insertable into the sleeve 64. The sleeve 64 is configured to rebound to removably engage the bottle 66 to the strap 12.

In use, the strap 12 is positioned on the user so that the hook and loop fastener 34 is positioned proximate to the second shoulder. The hook and loop fastener 34 is engaged so that the strap 12 extends transversely from the second shoulder to proximate to an opposed hip of the user. An aerosol self-defense spray cannister 40 disposed in the first pocket 42 and an elongated self-defense weapon 62 disposed in the sheath 58 are available as needed. The second pocket 44 and the sleeve 64 can be used to stow a phone 38 and a bottle 66 respectively.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. An article holding device comprising: a strap defining a loop, wherein the loop is configured for insertion of a head and a first shoulder of a user, such that the strap rests on a second shoulder of the user, such that the strap extends transversely from the second shoulder to proximate to an opposed hip of the user; a plurality of pouches engaged to the strap, wherein each pouch is configured for insertion of a respective item, such that the item is removably engaged to the strap; and a sheath engaged to the strap, wherein an open end of the sheath is configured for insertion of an elongated self-defense weapon, such that the elongated self-defense weapon is removably engaged to the strap.
 2. The article holding device of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises: a shoulder section; a chest section extending from the shoulder section across a chest of the user; a back section extending from the shoulder section across a back of the user; and a hip section engaged to and extending between the chest section and the back section distal from the shoulder section.
 4. The article holding device of claim 2, wherein the hip section is dimensionally wider than the chest section, the back section, and the shoulder section.
 5. The article holding device of claim 2, further including: a slit in the strap defining a first end and a second end of the strap; a first fastener engaged to the strap proximate to the first end; and a second fastener engaged to the strap proximate to the second end, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the first fastener for fixing the strap in a looped configuration.
 6. The article holding device of claim 5, wherein the slit is positioned in the shoulder section.
 7. The article holding device of claim 5, wherein the second fastener and the first fastener comprise a hook and loop fastener.
 8. The article holding device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of pouches comprises: a first pocket engaged to the chest section proximate to the shoulder section; a second pocket engaged to the chest section distal from the shoulder section, such that the second pocket is positioned over a front of the opposed hip of the user; and a third pocket engaged to the back section distal from the shoulder section, such that the third pocket is positioned over a rear of the opposed hip of the user.
 9. The article holding device of claim 8, wherein: the first pocket is sized complementarily to an aerosol self-defense spray cannister, wherein the first pocket is configured for insertion of the aerosol self-defense spray cannister, such that the aerosol self-defense spray cannister is removably engaged to the strap; the second pocket is sized complementarily to a phone, wherein the second pocket is configured for insertion of the phone, such that the phone is removably engaged to the strap; and the third pocket is sized complementarily to a personal article, wherein the third pocket is configured for insertion of the personal article, such that the personal article is removably engaged to the strap.
 10. The article holding device of claim 1, further including a plurality of flaps, each flap being engaged to and extending from the strap proximate to an opening of a respective pouch, the flap being configured for selectively engaging the respective pouch for closing the opening.
 11. The article holding device of claim 10, further including: a plurality of first connectors, each first connector being engaged a respective pouch; and a plurality of second connectors, each second connector being engaged to a respective flap, the second connectors being complementary to the first connectors, such that a respective second connector is positioned for selectively engaging an associated first connector for closing an associated opening.
 12. The article holding device of claim 11, wherein the respective second connector and the associated first connector comprise a hook and loop coupler.
 13. The article holding device of claim 2, further including a sleeve engaged to the chest section of the strap, the sleeve being resiliently stretchable, such that a bottle is insertable into the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured for rebounding for removably engaging the bottle to the strap.
 14. The article holding device of claim 13, wherein the sleeve comprises elastomer.
 15. An article holding system comprising: a strap defining a loop, wherein the loop is configured for insertion of a head and a first shoulder of a user, such that the strap rests on a second shoulder of the user, such that the strap extends transversely from the second shoulder to proximate to an opposed hip of the user; a first pocket engaged to the strap; an aerosol self-defense spray cannister sized complementarily to the first pocket and being selectively insertable into the first pocket, such that the aerosol self-defense spray cannister is removably engaged to the strap; a second pocket engaged to the strap; a phone sized complementarily to the second pocket and being selectively insertable into the second pocket, such that the phone is removably engaged to the strap; a sheath engaged to the strap; an elongated self-defense weapon shaped complementarily to the sheath and being selectively insertable into an open end of the sheath, such that the elongated self-defense weapon is removably engaged to the strap; and a sleeve engaged to the chest section of the strap, the sleeve being resiliently stretchable; and a bottle inserted into the sleeve, such that the bottle is removably engaged to the strap.
 16. An article holding device comprising: a strap defining a loop, wherein the loop is configured for insertion of a head and a first shoulder of a user, such that the strap rests on a second shoulder of the user, such that the strap extends transversely from the second shoulder to proximate to an opposed hip of the user, the strap comprising: a shoulder section, a chest section extending from the shoulder section across a chest of the user, a back section extending from the shoulder section across a back of the user, and a hip section engaged to and extending between the chest section and the back section distal from the shoulder section, the hip section being dimensionally wider than the chest section, the back section, and the shoulder section; a slit in the strap defining a first end and a second end of the strap, the slit being positioned in the shoulder section; a first fastener engaged to the strap proximate to the first end; a second fastener engaged to the strap proximate to the second end, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the first fastener for fixing the strap in a looped configuration, the second fastener and the first fastener comprising a hook and loop fastener; a plurality of pouches engaged to the strap, wherein each pouch is configured for insertion of a respective item, such that the item is removably engaged to the strap, the plurality of pouches comprising: a first pocket engaged to the chest section proximate to the shoulder section, the first pocket being sized complementarily to an aerosol self-defense spray cannister, wherein the first pocket is configured for insertion of the aerosol self-defense spray cannister, such that the aerosol self-defense spray cannister is removably engaged to the strap, a second pocket engaged to the chest section distal from the shoulder section, such that the second pocket is positioned over a front of the opposed hip of the user, the second pocket being sized complementarily to a phone, wherein the second pocket is configured for insertion of the phone, such that the phone is removably engaged to the strap, and a third pocket engaged to the back section distal from the shoulder section, such that the third pocket is positioned over a rear of the opposed hip of the user, the third pocket being sized complementarily to a personal article, wherein the third pocket is configured for insertion of the personal article, such that the personal article is removably engaged to the strap; a sheath engaged to the strap, wherein an open end of the sheath is configured for insertion of an elongated self-defense weapon, such that the elongated self-defense weapon is removably engaged to the strap; a plurality of flaps, each flap being engaged to and extending from the strap proximate to an opening of a respective pouch, the flap being configured for selectively engaging the respective pouch for closing the opening; a plurality of first connectors, each first connector being engaged a respective pouch; a plurality of second connectors, each second connector being engaged to a respective flap, the second connectors being complementary to the first connectors, such that a respective second connector is positioned for selectively engaging an associated first connector for closing an associated opening, the respective second connector and the associated first connector comprising a hook and loop coupler; and a sleeve engaged to the chest section of the strap, the sleeve being resiliently stretchable, such that a bottle is insertable into the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured for rebounding for removably engaging the bottle to the strap, the sleeve comprising elastomer. 